Campaigners vow to BLOCK £50m Holocaust memorial near Parliament

Political reporter(wp/es):

Campaigners have pledged to block a £50 million national Holocaust memorial from being built next to Parliament.

Skyline Campaign activists revealed talks had taken place with the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation over an idea to shift the planned monument and learning centre from Victoria Tower Gardens.

The group, which fights to prevent development of “badly designed tall buildings” in London, claim the plans are unsuitable for one of the capital’s most treasured spots.

Barbara Weiss, from the Skyline Campaign, said: “This is nothing against a memorial or learning centre to educate people about the Holocaust, it is about protecting one of London’s most beautiful assets.

“If it was a school or art gallery our position would be the same. Parks should not be built on. 

“We have had civilised conversations with the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation and we are trying to dissuade them.

“There are a growing number of people who are backing us and in my experience if you get enough traction people do tend to listen.”

Campaigners said better options are available for the tribute and urged authorities to consider College Green behind Westminster Abbey as an alternative.

An online petition calling for a stop to any building work in Victoria Tower Gardens passed 150 signatures since it was launched by the group two weeks ago. 

Campaigners previously challenged construction of the Paddington Pole, a 72-storey skyscraper proposed next to the station, which was eventually withdrawn.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron revealed in January a national memorial would be built next to Parliament by the end of next year.

He said the monument would show the importance Britain placed on preserving memory of the Holocaust and added it would stand beside Parliament as a “statement of British values”.

In September, the Government invited designers and architects from across the world to submit blueprints for the memorial and learning centre.

The winning designs are set to be exhibited in London in January before an overall winner is announced next summer.

Sir Peter Bazalgette, chairman of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, said: "Ensuring that the memory and the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten lies at the heart of Britain’s values as a nation and this important new national landmark will stand as a permanent reminder of our commitment as a country to stand against prejudice and hatred in all its forms.

"I am delighted we have secured a site at the heart of our democracy and to have such strong cross-party support for the memorial and the learning centre which will accompany it. 

"They will be a logical and harmonious addition to the space, joining the existing memorials which can be viewed as a physical representation of the United Kingdom’s conscience and values."

British Airways flight crew held-up at gunpoint

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A British Airways flight crew were held-up at gunpoint by an armed robber in the Brazilian city of Rio.

Air steward Michael Nicholas, 45, said he was walking back to a hotel from a barbecue with 10 other colleagues when the gunman pounced.

The attacker held the gun against one of the crew’s face before forcing him and his son to hand over their phones and money, the Sun reported.

Describing the ordeal on his Facebook page, Mr Nicholas wrote: "One of our crew had a gun held to his face while his son and him were robbed.

“Half of us were unaware anything was going on behind us until we heard the commotion. Luckily, the son gave the robber his phone and money and they left.

“We are all safe and well but a little shaken. The local police refused to attend the hotel and BA security are on the case and dealing with this.”

Mr Nicholas, from Preston Candover, Hampshire, urged fellow crew members to take care if they ventured out of the hotel in Rio after dark and travel by taxi.

The Foreign Office website advises travellers to Brazil to hand over any valuables if threatened and not to resist attackers as they may be armed or under the influence of drugs.

A BA spokesman told the Sun: “We are supporting our crew and are thankful that they weren’t harmed.

“We take the safety of our pilots and cabin crew very seriously and issue them with information and advice for all the destinations to which we fly – specifying any extra precautions that should be taken in particular cities.

"We will be reiterating our advice to crew operating to Rio de Janeiro, including that they should remain vigilant when outside the hotel. We will now also be advising that they book taxis when travelling around the city.”

Boy, 4, dies after being hit by car

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A four-year-old boy has died after he was hit by a car outside a leisure centre. 

The child was struck by the vehicle outside a sports centre in Oxfordshire on Saturday morning. 

Emergency services raced to the scene after the crash in Oxford Road, Thame at about 10.25am.

The child died on his way to hospital, Thames Valley Police said.

His next of kin have been informed.

Senior Investigating officer Sergeant Jack Hawkins of Roads Policing based at Abingdon police station said: “We are investigating the fatal collision and appealing for witnesses. 

“Please can anyone with information which could assist enquiries contact police.

“The family of the deceased are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers at this very difficult time.”